This content is for general information only and is not legal advice. Although Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness strives to provide accurate and up to date information, we cannot promise it is error-free or that it addresses your specific concerns. If you are looking for specific legal advice, you should contact an attorney. Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness takes no responsibility for any information linked to this website.
Know Your Rights as an Unsheltered Person
Federal Enforcement in Chicago
The Trump administration is threatening a potential deployment of the National Guard to Chicago. When troops were recently deployed in Washington D.C., people experiencing unsheltered homelessness were forcibly removed and their property was destroyed with little to no notice.
We strongly urge people living on the street to take the following precautions:
- Don’t sleep in public places. For your safety, please consider sleeping in a shelter or another indoor location. The President may order law enforcement to forcibly remove and/or arrest anyone sleeping outside.
- Keep your photo ID on you at all times. Consider asking a family member, friend, or case manager to store any important documents (such as your Social Security card or birth certificate) and/or property with sentimental value such as family photographs or mementos in a safe place.
- Carry the phone number of an emergency contact, such as a family member, friend, or case manager.
- Keep your medications, as well as a list of your medications, with you at all times.
- Keep your phone fully charged when possible, if you have one.
Federal agents have more authority on property owned by the federal government. This map shows the location of federal buildings in Chicago. We suggest avoiding these properties and the areas surrounding them.
We also have reason to believe enforcement may be concentrated in the downtown area, highlighted on this map.
If you need shelter:
- Explore whether you are able to stay with a supportive person on a temporary basis.
- If you need access to a shelter, please call 3-1-1 and be sure to write down your shelter request (SR) number.
- Provide 3-1-1 the location where you are residing and state clearly that you are unsheltered and requesting shelter. Please note, shelter capacity may be limited.
- To request shelter in person, single adults can visit the Shelter Placement and Resource Center (SPARC) at 2241 S. Halsted. 3-1-1 shelter requests can be made 24 hours a day with on-site assistance, regardless of capacity.
- For families with underage children, shelter can be requested in person at The Salvation Army Emergency Assessment and Resource Center (EHARC) located at 924 N. Christiana.
Tips for interacting with police or federal agents:
- Stay Calm: Say “I am exercising my right to remain silent” and “I do not consent to a search of my body or property.”
- If any officer asks you any questions, remember you have the right to remain silent. You do NOT have to discuss your immigration or citizenship status with any law enforcement officials.
- You have the right to a government appointed attorney if arrested for a criminal charge. If you are detained because of your suspected immigration status, you have a right to a lawyer, but the government will not provide you one.
- Move Belongings: If your belongings are blocking a sidewalk, public way, private residence, or business, offer to pack up your belongings and/or move to a different location.
- Ask if you are free to leave: If told yes, leave. If no, try to remember everything you can about the arresting officer (uniform, badge number, name) and any witnesses. Immediately state “I want to speak to a lawyer.”
- If any of your property is damaged or removed, make a list of what property you lost.
- Call us: When you are able to, call the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness at 1-800-940-1119 to report any interactions with federal troops or law enforcement.
- If you believe you are witnessing ICE activity or need help, please call ICIRR’s 24-Hour Family Support Hotline at 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY (1-855-435-7693) to report it.
